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Ohio reservists find help, resources at Yellow Ribbon event

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Nearly 100 Airmen and their family members attended the pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon Program Sept. 24-26 hosted by the 445th Airlift Wing at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin, Ohio.
Congressionally legislated, the Yellow Ribbon Program is a directive that dictates National Guard and Reserve members and their families receive deployment support and reintegration programs to minimize to the extent practicable the stresses of military service, particularly the stress of deployment and family separation

"This was a very successful Yellow Ribbon event. We had a great turn out with several agencies available that our reservists and their families could visit," Tech. Sgt. Joan Weldon, 445th Mission Support Flight, said.

Sergeant Weldon, who has coordinated multiple events for the Yellow Ribbon Program, said several families came up to her during the three-day event, telling her that they appreciate all the information that the program provides.

"Many families that I talk with at these events tell me that that they wish this program had been in place years ago," Sergeant Weldon said.

One of the attendees, Tech. Sgt. Fred Kinzel, an Individual Mobilization Augmentee currently assigned to the 633rd Security Forces, Langley Air Force Base, Va., lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. The NCO handling his personnel issues called Sergeant Weldon to see if she had space for him at the Yellow Ribbon event.

"Since he lives in Pittsburgh, they were looking for an event for him in the same region. Once I said yes, he made contact with our office to arrange his attendance. His host base provided him with the orders and we certify them to say that he was there," Sergeant Weldon said.

Sergeant Kinzel said he was able to gather a lot of helpful information for himself and for his family that could not attend.

"This is much better than running around base trying to find all these places. There should be more of these programs offered," Sergeant Kinzel said.

Senior Airman Alex Peiffer, 87th Aerial Port Squadron, said, "I'm getting ready to deploy and I've never deployed before. The event helped me understand what I'm entitled to while deployed and how to handle things that might happen while I'm gone."

Mrs. Michelle Jones, wife of Tech. Sgt. Jack Jones, 87th Aerial Port Squadron, said her family received a lot of information during the program.

"The program is a good way to get all the information and contacts before they deploy. I would recommend all spouses to attend this event when it's offered again," Mrs. Jones said.

"I truly believe our events continue to get better and better. I know it is a goal for the 445th Yellow Ribbon team to take excellent care of members and their families throughout the deployment cycle. The team consistently makes improvements from the feedback and the suggestions of our members and families," Chaplain (Capt.) Jonathan Kollmann, 445th Airlift Wing Chaplain's office, said.